The Japanese Coast Guard’s Reimei-Class Patrol Ships

New 6,500t Patrol Vessel

As Japan continues to face off against China around the Senkaku Islands, the Chinese coast guard has steadily grown in both quantity and quality.

While the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) is one of the largest of its kind in the world, it is nonetheless struggling to keep up with its Chinese counterparts that enjoy an ample budget and amount of personnel.

To address this precarious situation and enforce JCG’s ability to carry out long-term missions, Japan has finally embarked on building patrol vessels larger than the conventional types.

The first of these was the “Akitsushima-Class,” which is a considered as a semi-sister ship of the long-used Shikishima patrol ship.

However, only one the names ship “Akitsushima” was built, as JCG moved on to the next batch –  The “Reimei-Class.”

• General Overview 

Being a 6,500-ton patrol vessel, the “Reimei-Class” is similar in size to the previous Shikishima and Akitsushima, and was commissioned in 2020 along with two other sister ships.

Among them, “Reimei” and “Akatsuki” are stationed in Kagoshima Prefecture, whereas the third ship,”Asazuki” is deployed to Ishigaki Island, the most closest point to the disputed Senkaku Islands.

Although the stationing of all three vessels southwest indicates the focus on China, the primary purpose of the Reimei-Class is to enhance the coast guard’s capability in simultaneously responding to large incidents or maritime accidents that require the deployment of large vessels.

With the commissioning of these three ships, JCG now operates five 6,500-ton class patrol ships, thereby having at least one or two always available at any given time.

Some Notable Differences

So, how does the Reimei-Class differ from its predecessor Akitsushima?

Both vessels are equipped with remotely operated 40mm and 20mm guns, but the Reimei-Class uses an upgraded model for the former.

Furthermore, new features such as an electronic billboard for showing instructions have been put in place, as well as increased food storage capacity for long-term duties.

The ship’s layout has also been modified, with improved crew quarters and better soundproofing for comfortability.

One notable difference is that while Akitsushima can operate two helicopters, the Reimei-Class is designed to accommodate only one, though its hanger and deck can still support up to two helicopters.

Patrol Ship “Reimei” (photo: Japan Coast Guard) 

Another interesting point is that the Reimei-Class has adopted a hull structure more similar to naval warships, implying a departure from the conventional patrol ship design.

Given the fact that Chinese coast guard ships are incorporating retired naval ships into their arsenal, such shift can be understood as a countermeasure, especially to withstand any ramming by the opponent.

As such, the enhanced patrol vessels are expected to play a vital role in defending the southwestern theater, undertaking long-term surveillance and even some overseas deployments.